"It was horrible - it sounded like someone was being attacked or they were fighting," said Rita Poitra, 59, who lives across the street from the single-family ranch house.

Police found several caged pit bulls outside, some with dried blood on them and scars apparently from fighting other dogs, Quiñones said.

Padilla said the blood came from his severed finger.

"I don't fight them," said Padilla, a locksmith by trade.

He said he told police that the animals were used sometimes as show dogs and that he raises and sells them as a hobby. Primarily, the pit bulls are bred and then sold through his website, The Pit Shop.

The site sells "UKC or ADBA registered" "XL Large, thick head, low to the ground, large mouth, monster size pits" and the breeders "are trying to bring these misunderstood gentle loving dogs into a more positive light."

Police, however, disagreed with his characterization.

"Anyone that is familiar with show dogs would know that these dogs were in no condition to be in the show ring," Quiñones said. "The dogs were all extremely massive and were obviously agitated."

Padilla said he told police he had arrived May 23 from Texas and was supposed to be moving to Brighton with the dogs. The animals were anxious and edgy from being in their kennels, he added.

He said he was unaware the dogs were illegal in Denver.

Padilla's mother lives at the house, said owner Steven Ivey, 50. He allowed Padilla and his dogs to stay briefly.

"It was an innocent deal," Ivey said. "They were closing on a house in Adams County. It was a mess up with the Realtors, or they would have already moved."

Ivey was not cited, Quiñones said.

Padilla said he didn't release the pit bulls from their kennels because there was an inadequate fence.

"It's not cruel. What are you supposed to do? Even the shelter is going to put them in cages," Padilla said.

Doug Kelly, director of Denver animal control, said there were 19 puppies and 19 adult dogs. Most were in good health, but one was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.

He said animal-control officers will confirm that the dogs are pit bulls. If Padilla can verify they are headed to a city where pit bulls are allowed, at least some can be returned. But if the town has limits on the number of animals, at least some will be put down.

By Sarah Langbein, Rocky Mountain News
July 21, 2006
Tami Bishop lost her fight to keep three-dozen pit bulls alive when the owner of the dogs gave them up to avoid jail.

The dogs were euthanized Thursday night after Denver Animal Control received a court order to put the dogs down, the shelterâ€™s executive director, Doug Kelley, said Friday.

The dogsâ€™ owner, Michael Padilla, entered into a plea agreement that would keep him out of jail. He also signed over ownership of the pooches to the city.

"Iâ€™d end up going to jail and still not getting the dogs back," Padilla said Friday. "I didnâ€™t have no choice. I got a family to feed and bills to pay. They steam-rolled me."

Kelley said the dogs had to be euthanized because it was Padillaâ€™s second pit bull offense in Denver where the breed is banned.

But Bishop argued the city misinterpreted its dog ordinance and had other choices, including her offer to transport the pit bulls out of state â€” with her own money.

She was on a plane Friday afternoon and unaware that the dogs, including 13 puppies, had been killed. She only knew that the pit bulls were no longer at the shelter, she said in a voicemail message.

On May 29, 38 pit bulls owned by Padilla were seized from a home in Denver. Padilla said he was moving from Texas to a new home in Adams County but stopped in Denver to pick up and move his ill mother.

Neighbors complained the dogs were barking and crammed into cages on the property.

Padilla was cited for cruelty to animals, animal neglect and violating Denverâ€™s pit bull ban. The dogs were removed from his care, and two were put down because of illness.

Padilla was also convicted in 2002 for having a pit bull in Denver. At that time, Padilla signed an affidavit promising not to bring pit bulls back into the city. If he did, the dogs may be euthanized, according to the document.

And thatâ€™s what happened Thursday, when they were given a fatal dose of sodium barbitol, which costs the city between $30 and $45 a bottle.

Padilla was given a 90-day suspended jail sentence and a fine of $500, which was also suspended. Heâ€™ll be on probation for one year. If he receives anything other than a traffic violation, heâ€™ll be sent to jail, according to the terms of the plea agreement.

Kelley said his employees are shaken up by the loss of the dogs. But he also said that itâ€™s a relief because the dogs were there "way too long."

"This is a really difficult thing for the staff," he said. "It tugs at your emotions. Itâ€™s a tough day for everybody."

Padilla disagrees, saying that he believes the city was set on killing his dogs, which were said to have a sweet disposition.

"Thatâ€™s how sick these people are," he said of the city and its pit bull ordinance. "They were happy to kill my dogs."

This blows me away.. 1500.. 1200.. 2000.. for dogs. Did ya'll pay that much for yours? I paid a total of 370.00 for both of my dogs, Boomer ( no papers 120.00) Cheyenne (BFKC, ABDA in process 250.00) I just can't imagine dropping that amount on a dog.